“The spirit of friendliness should harness a community spirit. Our job is to enlighten, teach, inspire, and to demonstrate the beauty of our religion. I want to show people that prayer is real, to rejoice in it. To be Jewish is to enjoy oneself. Yes, it can be hard, but Yiddishkeit is a happy experience,” he said.

Saunders received his rabbinical ordination from a Gateshead yeshiva and from one of the largest European kosher certification agencies. The rabbi also obtained a masters degree in Talmudic Law.

Saunders' rabbinical experiences include serving as the rabbi of a nursing home in Manchester, as a pulpit rabbi of a shul near Liverpool and subsequently at a Young Israel synagogue in Bensonhurst, N.Y. He has also served as director of the Jewish Program at the Ben Gamla School’s After Care Program in Plantation, and is currently the rabbinical coordinator of kashrut certification agency Kosher Miami. Saunders also has experience as a reality TV star in England.

Saunders' wife Erica, who has two masters degrees, one in Jewish Education and another in Judaic Studies, from New York University, brings their two young children Esti and Daniel to Shabbat morning services.

“Serving synagogue members is our job, but reaching out to the non-religious in our community is also a priority. We want everyone to feel welcome, including children,” the rebbitzen said.

The synagogue, which is a member of the national Orthodox Union, is made up of full-time residents and snowbirds, attracting members of all ages. The synagogue’s community outreach includes a bikur cholim team who visit the sick. It also sponsors classes, speakers, a sisterhood, and social events open to the community.

Saunders will officially be installed at the synagogue's gala dinner and show on Feb. 13. Visit delrayorthodox.org or email zevisaunders@gmail.com for more information. The synagogue is at 7319 W. Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach.